Dubai has the popularity of being a glamorous buying and luxurious resort vacation spot. However a little-known reality is that the Center East desert metropolis has extra than simply materials riches. Full of necessary cultural establishments, spectacular artwork galleries, and design-focused experiences, United Arab Emirates metropolis’s choices have diversified to draw a brand new crowd of tourists.
It’s time the world received to know town as a spot for extra than simply buying lovers and fashionistas. There’s loads to do in Dubai—together with visiting a camel racetrack and taking in beautiful sights from the sky. From thrill-seekers to tradition dwellers and households, each traveller has one thing to sit up for. By the best way, the very best time to go to Dubai could be the winter months, nevertheless it’s secure to say it’s a welcoming vacation spot all yr spherical. So, what to do in Dubai? Learn on.
What To Do In Dubai
1. Get On High of the World
Many metropolis sights now embrace a vantage level from up above. Constructed from the bottom up, Dubai now boasts a powerful skyline of skyscrapers and a number of locations to soak up the sights from above. Listed below are three spots you should go to for the views:
Aura Skypool
The Ain Marina view from the Aura Skypool lounge chairs. | Credit score: Aura Skypool Dubai Fb web page
Dubbed the world’s highest 360° infinity pool, the Aura Skypool is 50 flooring up, the place you’ll be able to absorb sweeping views of The Palm and the Burj Al Arab. This could make a singular pool day at 200 m up within the air. Entry begins at AED 150 (MYR 180) per particular person, with costs various relying on unique components reminiscent of your spot across the pool, the time of the day, the lounge or cabana, and the view you get. Pre-purchase your session right here.
Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa rises above its flat desert base in all its glory. | Credit score: Burj Khalifa Official Web site
The world’s tallest constructing is now synonymous with what Dubai is greatest recognized for. It’s a must-see for first-time guests to Dubai. The 160-storey constructing is an actual sight to behold from anyplace within the metropolis—you gained’t be capable to miss it! At 828 m tall, the ‘Burj’, as it’s colloquially referred to as, is greatest recognized for its statement decks. Trip as much as the highest of their high-speed elevators and be ready to soak up some jaw-dropping views when you step out onto the statement deck. Tickets will be bought on-line for a particular time slot.
Sky Views Dubai
Not for the faint-hearted! The Edge Stroll alongside the Sky Views is 219 m excessive. | Credit score: Go to Dubai
What extra are you able to do from excessive up above, past trying down on the world beneath? At 219 m up, Sky Views affords an expertise that’s not for the faint of coronary heart! White-knuckle your method down the glass slide (!) or do the Edge Stroll (the place you stroll the ledge of the highest of the Tower’s principal pod). These actions will get your coronary heart fee up! Ebook your tickets, and don’t look again!
2. Search Thrills and An Adrenaline Rush
Let’s go away the heights for a second and search for thrills and adventures elsewhere. As a result of when contemplating what to do in Dubai, we often don’t consider issues like scuba diving or snowboarding:
Deep Dive Dubai
Exploring an ‘deserted warehouse’ underwater on the Deep Dive Dubai. | Credit score: Go to Dubai
Deep Dive Dubai holds a world file for the deepest pool constructed at 60 m, containing 14 million litres of water. There’s a sunken metropolis on the backside for deep divers to discover, which is open solely to these with certifications. Scuba divers can dive all the way down to 12 m, and snorkelers can paddle on the floor. It additionally holds the area’s largest underwater movie studio, with 56 cameras. Tickets are required and will be pre-purchased.
Skydive Dubai
Why restrict your self to the highest of a tower when you can go even greater? Soar out of an plane and expertise freefalling in the direction of the long-lasting Palm Dropzone beneath. Inexperienced persons can leap in tandem with an skilled information, however in case you have a license, you may as well leap solo.
Ski Dubai
Now it could possibly be sweltering exterior within the desert, however contained in the Mall of the Emirates is the world’s third-largest indoor ski slope. (Lastly, one thing that’s not the world’s largest, however nonetheless an achievement contemplating it’s a ski mountain in the midst of a desert!) A novelty for individuals who have by no means seen snow, a Snow Daycation Go permits entry to the non-skiing sections of the mountain, excellent for households with children. There are numerous snow rides, a Snow Cinema, penguin go to and tubing. For knowledgeable skiers, who should hit the slopes, there are two ski runs and a freestyle space.
3. Immerse in Native Tradition
In the event you’ve had sufficient of the intense stuff, there’s the cultural aspect of issues. Hit the streets and see what to do in Dubai from an area’s perspective:
Jumeirah Mosque
Open to non-Muslim guests, the attractive Jumeirah Mosque, designed within the medieval Fatimid model and constructed from white stone, is picture-perfect when the sunshine hits at nightfall. Take within the structure and tranquillity of the house on tour led by educated guides, out there six days every week apart from Fridays (on account of prayers).
Dubai Spice Souk
Spices on the market on the Dubai Spice Souk. | Credit score: Jon Villanueva through Unsplash
A visit to the Center East just isn’t full and not using a journey to a souk—particularly a spice market! Dubai Spice Souk is the place you’ll discover extra than simply spices, bustling with distributors promoting saffron, rosehips, Persian dried limes and different conventional Center Japanese spice mixes. There are additionally stalls hawking every little thing from lanterns and garments to souvenirs and snacks. Positioned at a posh with an adjoining waterway, there are a lot of eating places you’ll be able to eat at or people-watch. Make your method there in an abra water taxi.
Al Marmoom Camel Race Observe
Does camel racing sound new to you? It’s a favorite pastime of the locals, endearingly representing Center Japanese tradition and heritage. Whereas not well-known worldwide, Camel racing dates again to the 7th century. Races begin early, between 7 am to 9 am (presumably earlier than it will get too scorching), and all race commentary and bulletins are in Arabic.
Al Seef, Dubai Creek & Abra Trip
One of many ubiquitous conventional wood abras you’ll see alongside Dubai Creek. | Credit score: Olga Ozik through Pixabay
Al Seef is a precinct with charming laneways, coffeeshops and homely eating places. It’s a slice of native life preserved to remind locals and vacationers of the historical past this metropolis was constructed on, situated alongside Dubai Creek. You too can hop onto an abra, a standard wood boat, to get to the opposite aspect. Every boat experience carries 20 individuals and will be hopped on or off at Deira or Bur Dubai. Continuously utilized by locals for its comfort to avoid visitors and by vacationers to seize the Emirati expertise, it’s particularly fashionable to experience because the solar units.
Al Fahidi Historic Neighbourhood
The Al Fahidi Historic Neighbourhood is a preserved slice of Outdated Dubai, circa the mid-Nineteenth century. | Credit score: Go to Dubai
Right here’s one other a part of Dubai that has been preserved in historical past. The Al Fahidi Historic Neighbourhood captures what life regarded like earlier than the UAE was shaped in 1971. In distinction to the metal and marble of contemporary skyscrapers, the Al Fahidi buildings and houses had been crafted from stone, palm wooden and teak. It’s a must-see for historical past and structure lovers to discover quaint alleys to their coronary heart’s content material. The quiet respite will make you are feeling such as you’re in a secluded sanctuary away from the fashionable bustle of town.
Al Shindagha Museum: Fragrance Home
Positioned within the Al Shindagha neighbourhood that was as soon as the normal centre of the Emirates, the museum tells the proud story of the nation’s previous and wealthy typical strategies of Arabic perfume-making. Immerse within the historical past of the area’s perfume-trading route, and get to know the oils and substances used within the scents for which this area has develop into well-known. These scents embrace oud, saffron and different aromatic roses.
The Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is a sprawling advanced protecting greater than 1 million sq. metres. | Credit score: Go to Dubai
Chief amongst all of the Dubai malls is The Dubai Mall. Recognized to have attracted round 100 million guests a yr pre-pandemic, The Dubai Mall has greater than 1,200 outlets, lots of of meals and beverage choices, over 70 signature excessive style shops, and an entire avenue of high fashion names. Whilst you’re right here, look out for Dubai Dino, a 155 million-year-old resident dinosaur skeleton.
4. Have Enjoyable With the Household
What to do in Dubai when you’re travelling with youngsters? Properly, there are many spots to set the children unfastened. Listed below are a number of the many theme parks in Dubai:
Aquaventure Waterpark
With over 105 sights constructed throughout 22 hectares, Aquaventure Waterpark is an unlimited household playground. | Credit score: Go to Dubai
Cool off on the world’s largest waterpark, particularly with its latest extension, the Trident Tower. It options the most important kids-only waterpark within the Center East: Splashers Lagoon and Splashers Cove, boasting greater than 30 slides and rides and a non-public seashore. There’s additionally an opportunity to get near marine life reminiscent of stingrays, dolphins and sea lions.
Legoland Dubai
Excellent for households with youngsters between the ages of two and 12, Legoland Dubai has over 60 interactive rides and 15,000 Lego fashions, with the theme park created from 60 million Lego items. Sprawled over six lands, there may be additionally a Legoland Resort for households, in case you need to spend all of your time on the park from morning to nighttime.
The Dubai Fountain
One other world file: The Dubai Fountain is the tallest on the earth, the place a number of fountain exhibits are scheduled every day. The extraordinary efficiency is displayed throughout the 12-hectare Burj Lake and is accessible from the Dubai Mall.
5. Look For Journey
For extra concepts on what to do in Dubai, listed below are some distinctive, out-of-this-world journey choices:
Balloon Adventures Dubai
Trip a scorching air balloon over the UAE desert with Balloon Adventures Dubai. | Credit score: Balloon Adventures Dubai Fb web page
When somebody asks you what your greatest expertise was in Dubai, right here’s a prepared story to regale them with. Try Balloon Adventures for an exhilarating but enjoyable expertise. Float throughout the Dubai desert at dawn or sundown, and take within the rolling dunes and desert panorama whereas studying about UAE’s native wildlife. There’s additionally an choice to fly with falcons if you e-book with a falcon handler! Excellent for a romantic expertise. Ebook your Balloon Adventures now.
Dinner within the Sky
Take pleasure in a novel approach to have dinner whereas dangling your ft within the air 50 m up. | Credit score: Dinner In The Sky
Right here’s a singular eating expertise: a cocktail party suspended 50 m up within the air. Take pleasure in a meal when you’re secured with a seatbelt at a eating desk suspended by a crane. Positioned at Sky Dive Dubai (so you’ll be able to leap out of a aircraft and head over to get a chew after), the desk rotates slowly over an hour, permitting you to soak up the sights whereas eating. Really feel the breeze up prime whereas feasting on gastronomic delights from Suave Eating by Le Meridien Mina Seyahi and The Westin Dubai. Ebook your Dinner In The Sky right here.
XLine Dubai Marina
Zipline down the world’s longest zipline. | Credit score: XLine Dubai Marina
One other thrilling journey expertise is the world’s longest city zip line on the Dubai Marina. One of many steepest and quickest ziplines, measuring 1 km in size and as much as 170 m in peak, the XLine makes use of ‘superman’ harnesses the place you’ll be zipping throughout stomach down, taking in all of the panoramic sights! It’s the closest feeling you’d should fly. Don’t need to go alone? There may be an choice to go along with a pal as there are two concurrently operating ziplines. Ebook your XLine experience right here.
Now with this complete record, you need to have extra concepts than you want for what to do in Dubai. Verify their schedules and availability in numerous seasons as you determine your greatest time to go to Dubai. Your days are going to be packed!